One of the most unique aspects of Vancouver is the ability to enjoy bustling urban life and natural splendour.
Whether you’re traveling by foot or transit, or cycling, there are many ways to go from city to mountains and oceans—and back—in a given day. You’ll transition from sipping a cocktail on a convivial patio to hiking a calming forested trail in no time.
Here are some efficient and accessible ways to get around the city and its natural locations. Many of them afford beautiful views as you’re traveling.
Photo: Translink
Vancouver has an extensive bus network that connects the whole of Metro Vancouver, allowing you to get from downtown to the city’s different neighbourhoods as well as other parts of Metro Vancouver, such as North Vancouver, Richmond, and New Westminster.
TransLink, the city’s transit authority, has a handy tool called Trip Planner that allows you to look up the best transit route to get from one place to another. It also tells you when the next bus is coming at a given stop, and also has handy schedules and maps.
Popular buses include the 19 Stanley Park/Metrotown, which starts at Stanley Park and goes through Chinatown, Mount Pleasant, and East Van before ending at Metrotown in Burnaby; the 5 Downtown/Robson that connects English Bay to Robson Street and then Stadium district; the 99 B-Line, a rapid bus that goes East/West along Broadway, from UBC all the way to Commercial Drive; and the 16 Arbutus/29th Ave Station, which goes through East Vancouver, downtown, South Granville, Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, and South Vancouver.
In addition to public buses, there are private shuttle buses that will help you get around, especially to key scenic destinations. For example, both Cypress and Grouse Mountain have shuttle buses in the summer (and winter), and there are shuttle options to Whistler (from YVR Airport and downtown). There is also a BC Ferries Connector that can take you from the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal all the way to downtown Victoria (via ferry).
Photo: Translink’s SkyTrain
The city has a rapid train service called the SkyTrain, which currently has three main lines (another one along Broadway is being added): the original Expo Line, which goes from Downtown to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey; the Millennium Line, connecting East Vancouver with Burnaby, Port Moody, and Coquitlam; and the Canada Line, from Downtown to YVR Airport and Richmond.
Photo: Yes Cycle
Vancouverites love to cycle, evidenced by the many protected bike lanes and local street bikeways through various neighbourhoods. The City of Vancouver has a map for planning your routes all across the city. Even better, the vast majority of transit services are bike accessible and there are bike parkades, lockers, and racks for storage at stations. In addition to a bike share program (Mobi), there are numerous companies that rent bikes (and e-bikes), such as Cycle City, Spokes Bicycle Rentals, and Yes Cycle.
You can travel by water. Options include BC Ferries for travel to places like the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island; the SeaBus that traverses Burrard Inlet from Waterfront to North Van’s Lonsdale Quay; and the charming Aquabus that stops along False Creek (e.g., Granville Island, Yaletown, Plaza of Nations).
Aerial view over English Bay in Vancouver. Photo: Jon Ross Films
If you’re looking to take advantage of the best of urban life and spectacular water and mountain experiences, Vancouver transit can make that happen. First of all, start by exploring downtown Vancouver’s bustling neighbourhoods (e.g., Robson Street, West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Gastown, Chinatown), which are walkable, or easily connected by transit. Downtown is fortunate to have numerous beaches (e.g., English Bay, Sunset Beach) as well as proximity to the world-renowned Stanley Park and its seawall so nature is a walk or a bus ride away.
From there, you can hop on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay to visit North Vancouver’s Shipyard District, which affords amazing views of the city’s skyline, the water, and the North Shore mountains. The neighbourhood also is a thriving dining and retail destination. From there, you can take a bus (236) to Capilano Suspension Bridge and/or Grouse Mountain, where you’ll take a gondola (Skyride) up to the top. Lonsdale Quay also gives you bus access to other scenic destinations like West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park (255) or Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge (228).
Photo: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Alternatively, you could travel south and explore Vancouver’s other nature-filled neighbourhoods and municipalities by transit. Take a bus (e.g., 50) or the Aquabus to Kitsilano to explore Granville Island and Kitsilano Beach. Kitsilano’s 4thAvenue has plenty of boutiques and eateries to enjoy. Or, take the Aquabus to Olympic Village, where there are plenty of shops and restaurants and views of False Creek.
Another option is going by bus from Kitsilano or direct from downtown (e.g., 44) to UBC, which then gives you access to natural sites like Pacific Spirit Regional Park and numerous beaches like Spanish Banks Beach and Wreck Beach (clothing optional). UBC itself is its own mini-city with museums, restaurants, and cafes.
Or, hop on the Canada Line downtown (e.g., Vancouver City Centre), stopping at King Edward Station to visit Queen Elizabeth Park, and then take it to Lansdowne Station. From there, you can catch a bus (407) to go to Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf, a charming village on the south arm of the Fraser River to feast on fish ‘n’ chips and water views.
Group cycling along the sea wall in Stanley Park; Destination Vancouver/Rishad Daroowala
The City of Vancouver has put together three suggested bike routes to get you started: Iconic Vancouver bike route, Seaside Vancouver bike route, and Creative Vancouver bike route. The routes give suggestions for attractions, photo stops with great sightlines, transit connections, as well as places to eat.
The Seawall
Couple cycling in Stanley Park; Destination Vancouver/Rishad Daroowala
Without a doubt, the most scenic way to get around the city is the seawall, which spans 22km. It will take you from Coal Harbour’s Convention Centre, on the edges of Stanley Park, past Second Beach and English Bay, and then around False Creek past Yaletown, Science World, Olympic Village, Granville Island, and Vanier Park, and then concluding at Kitsilano Beach. Through this route, you’ll get to appreciate some of the best of Vancouver’s urban shopping and dining areas, as well as its beaches and parks. Take transit back downtown at any point during your ride.
Beaches
Groups of people at Kitsilano beach in Vancouver; Destination BC (Grant Harder)
Alternatively, you could take a bus to Kitsilano Beach, spend some time in the area (particularly 4th Avenue for eating and shopping) and then bike along the waterfront (e.g., Point Grey Road, NW Marine Drive) to make your way to Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks, Locarno Beach, Wreck Beach, and UBC.
The Arbutus Greenway and Richmond
If you’re looking for another entirely pedestrian and bike route, you can either bike or bus from downtown to the start of the Arbutus Greenway (reclaimed railway land), which runs north/south from Fir @ West 4th Avenue all the way to SW Marine Drive (basically to the Fraser River). Stop off at Kerrisdale along the way for some retail browsing and dining. From SW Marine Drive, you have access to Richmond and its many dyke trails. An alternative would be to take the Canada Line to Richmond (e.g., Richmond-Brighouse Station), spend some time exploring the hub of Richmond, and then bike or bus to one of its lovely trails.
The North Shore
Point Atkinson Lighthouse on the rocky coastline at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver; Photo: Destination BC/Tom Ryan
A lovely journey would be to take the SeaBus from downtown Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay (you could also bike across the Lions Gate Bridge; or take a bus from downtown to West Vancouver’s Park Royal); from there, you can bike to West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park or go further to Lighthouse Park if you’re feeling ambitious. Along the way, you can shop/dine in North Vancouver’s Shipyard District, West Vancouver’s Park Royal (a large indoor/outdoor shopping complex), and along Marine Drive. If you don’t want to bike back, you could hop on a bus to Park Royal, and then take another bus back downtown.
Other great bike routes in the North Shore include taking the Seymour Valley Trailway to the Seymour Demonstration Forest or the Mosquito Creek Trail (fairly challenging) to Grouse Mountain to ride the Skyride. Or, if beer is your passion and you want a more leisurely ride, the North Shore is known for its breweries, so you could go on your own cycling brewery tour (e.g., along Esplanade) from Lonsdale Quay after your SeaBus ride.
Overall, Vancouver’s extensive and interconnected transit and bike systems mean that you can curate your own self-guided tour through the best of the city’s urban and natural areas.